Systems delay in women with breast cancer - A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study from central rural India

Globally, breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in both developed and developing nations, with an incidence of 2 million cases every year and around 6 lakh deaths. Even after the availability of healthcare facilities, delays in the management of breast cancer are seen in both developed and developing countries.

To assess the patient and system-level delays and to determine the factors that cause the identified delays in women with breast cancer from central rural India.

The present Mixed-method study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in central rural India among 128 female breast cancer patients. Socio-demographic and clinical information of the patients was summarized using frequency and proportions. Delays were reported using a median number of days and interquartile range. To assess the factors associated with the delays, we used Negative log-binomial regression analysis. Qualitative data analysis was done by manual thematic analysis.

The mean age of the study participants was 50.54, SD was 10.46, Median was 50, and the Interquartile range (IQR) was 43-58 years. A median patient delay of 45 days, and IQR was 15-120. A median system delay of 19 days and IQR was 7-35 days. We identified seven themes addressing the factors influencing delays at various levels by thematic analysis. Negative log-binomial regression models were built for the association of the socio- demographic and clinical variables with patient and system delays.

Our study concludes that there is a substantial delay at patient level reporting to healthcare care providers, which needs an increase in awareness levels in the community through dedicated Behavior Change Communication strategies along with addressing identified socio-cultural and economic determinants influencing delay at various levels.